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from Lesotho to South Africa to more than 1.27 billion m3
, while also supporting enhanced
hydropower generation capacity in Lesotho. Engineering design for the dam has incorporated lessons learned from earlier LHWP dams to improve performance and stability in challenging mountainous terrain.
UK
RheEnergise brings first high- density hydro storage project to full power UK-based energy storage developer RheEnergise has brought its first High-Density Hydro® (HD Hydro) energy storage project into full power operation at Cornwood, near Plymouth in Devon. The company said the pilot facility is now operating at its designed output on a consistent basis, marking a key step toward commercial deployment. The Cornwood project is RheEnergise’s first demonstration of its long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology. According to the company, performance data from the site will be used to support financing and development of larger commercial projects in the UK and international markets. HD Hydro uses a proprietary high-density, low-viscosity fluid that is heavier than water. The system operates in a similar way to conventional pumped hydro storage but requires significantly lower elevation differences between reservoirs. This allows projects to be developed on smaller hills rather than mountainous terrain, expanding the range of potential sites. RheEnergise chief executive Stephen
Crosher said the company has now validated the technology under operational conditions. “Reaching full power confirms that the system is performing as expected and reduces technical risk for future commercial projects,” he said. “This enables us to move forward with large- scale deployments in the UK and overseas.” The company plans to develop commercial
projects ranging from 10 MW to 100 MW, with storage durations between six and 20 hours. RheEnergise said a typical 40 MW project could supply electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 40,000 homes. The Cornwood facility has a peak output of 500 kW. When operated continuously, it can generate enough electricity to supply around 400 homes annually. The project supports energy demand at Sibelco’s nearby kaolin mining operation and contributes to the company’s decarbonisation strategy. Sibelco vice-president of operations Ben Uphill said the project aligns with the company’s sustainability objectives and could have applications across the mining and industrial sectors.
Funding for the Cornwood project was
provided in part by the UK Government through the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio programme. The scheme is part of a £1 billion national
funding initiative supporting low-carbon technology development. Patrick Vallance, UK Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, said long- duration energy storage will play an increasingly important role as renewable generation expands and electricity demand grows. RheEnergise said it is targeting operation of its first commercial-scale HD Hydro project within three years. The company is currently assessing potential sites in the UK, continental Europe — including Italy, Poland and Spain — and North America.
Construction of the Cornwood facility was carried out by D.A. Macdonald Ltd, Friendship Engineering and Drew & Co, working alongside RheEnergise’s in-house engineering team.
Bhutan World Bank Group approves financing package for 1125MW Dorjilung hydropower project The World Bank Group has approved an $815m financing package to support development of Bhutan’s 1125MW Dorjilung hydropower project, a large-scale scheme on the Kurichhu River in eastern Bhutan that is expected to significantly expand the country’s generation capacity and electricity exports. The Dorjilung project is designed to produce
more than 4,500GWh of electricity annually, increasing Bhutan’s total power generation by 40% and boosting energy exports by 42%. The project is also expected to strengthen regional clean energy trade and contribute to job creation and economic growth. “The Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project is a national priority and will be transformational for Bhutan – delivering clean electricity, spurring economic growth and advancing our carbon- negative commitment,” said Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, Finance Minister, Royal Government of Bhutan. “Its innovative financing structure ensures that this project does not unduly burden public finances, allowing us to continue investing in our people.” The project will be Bhutan’s largest
hydropower development implemented under a public-private partnership model. It represents a shift toward private sector participation in the country’s hydropower sector. The World Bank Group will provide $815m in financing, which is expected to mobilize an additional $900m from private investors. “The World Bank Group is bringing the full
strength of its institutions – IDA, IBRD and IFC – to support the Dorjilung Hydropower Project in Bhutan,” said Xavier Furtado, the World Bank Group’s Country Manager for Bhutan. “We’ve worked with the Royal Government of Bhutan to put together a financing package designed to keep sovereign borrowing to a minimum, catalyse private sector engagement, and carefully balance risks among public and private stakeholders. This approach can serve as a model for future sustainable hydro development in Bhutan and other countries.”
6 | February/March 2026 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com During construction and operation, the project
is expected to create thousands of jobs and support local businesses. It will also include upgrades to roads and improved access to markets and essential services in Mongar and Lhuentse districts, areas with higher poverty, unemployment, and out-migration rates than the national average. The financing package consists of a $150m grant and a $150m credit from the International Development Association (IDA), a $15m enclave loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to the Government of Bhutan, and a $200m IBRD enclave loan along with a $300m A loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to Dorjilung Hydro Power Limited (DHPL). DHPL is a special purpose vehicle jointly owned by Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation, which holds a 60% stake, and Tata Power, India’s largest private integrated power company, which owns the remaining 40%.
South America HYDROGRID deploys AI- based planning tools for IDB hydropower pilot in Honduras and Costa Rica HYDROGRID has been selected by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to implement its hydropower optimisation platform as part of a smart-hydro digitalisation project covering assets in Honduras and Costa Rica. The project is supported by Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE) and Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). It will deploy HYDROGRID’s digital tools to improve water management, production planning, and maintenance scheduling across multiple hydropower plants. The deployment includes HYDROGRID Insight, which provides inflow and reservoir forecasting, production planning, long-term generation planning, and opportunity cost calculations to support maintenance decisions. According to the project partners, the objective is to increase generation availability and operational efficiency through data-driven planning. “This pilot is about more than technology. It’s about building smarter systems that strengthen hydropower’s role in sustainable development. By integrating digital tools into planning and operations, Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica and Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad can improve efficiency, reduce waste, and deliver reliable clean energy to millions,” said Arturo Alarcón, Energy Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank. According to the partners, the digitalisation effort will focus on three operational priorities: improving inflow utilisation through forecasting, aligning maintenance activities with lower- value production periods by estimating revenue impacts, and strengthening long-term operational planning using integrated decision- support tools.
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